In vivo investigation of tolerance and antitumor activity of cisplatin-loaded PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles

The tolerance of BALB/c mice to different doses of blank and cisplatin-loaded PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles and the in vivo anticancer activity of these nanoparticles on SCID mice xenografted with colorectal adenocarcinoma HT 29 cells were investigated. Nanoparticles with an average size of 150-160 nm and approximately 2% w/w cisplatin content were prepared by a modified emulsification and solvent evaporation method. Normal BALB/c mice tolerated three weekly intravenous injections of a relatively high dose of blank PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles (500 mg/kg, equivalent to about 10 mg nanoparticles/mouse) and three weekly intravenous injections of a high dose of nanoparticle-entrapped cisplatin (10 mg/kg). Also, histopathology examination indicated that there were no differences in the kidneys or spleens from animals treated with cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles or blank nanoparticles compared to the untreated control group. A moderate granulation of protoplasm of hepatic cells was observed in the livers from mice treated with cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles and blank nanoparticles, however, both the hepatic lobe and the portal hepatis maintained their normal architecture. The cisplatin-loaded PLGA-mPEG nanoparticles appeared to be effective at delaying tumor growth in HT 29 tumor-bearing SCID mice. The group of mice treated with cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles exhibited higher survival rate compared to the free cisplatin group. The results justify further evaluation of the in vivo antitumor efficacy of the PLGA-mPEG/cisplatin nanoparticles.     

Effects of various pesticides on human 5alpha-reductase activity in prostate and LNCaP cells.

Certain pesticides are able to disturb the sex steroid hormone system and to act as antiandrogens. While the different underlying mechanisms remain unclear, inhibition of 5alpha-reductase, the enzyme which is indispensable for the synthesis of DHT and thus normal masculinization, appears to be one of the sensitive targets for endocrine disruption. We therefore tested several endocrine disrupters with antiandrogenic effects in vivo for their influence on 5alpha-reductase activity in two different test systems: (a) an enzyme assay with human Lymph Node Carcinoma of Prostate (LNCaP) cells and (b) an enzyme assay with human prostate tissue homogenate. The selected pesticides and industrial compounds were monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), triphenyltin (TPT), diuron, fenarimol, linuron, p,p'DDE, prochloraz and vinclozolin. The synthetic androgen methyltestosterone and the synthetic antiandrogen flutamide, as well as the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride served as control compounds. The effect of the organotin compounds DBT, TBT and TPT on enzyme activity was approximately the same in both test systems, with IC(50) values ranging between 2.7 and 11.2 microM, while in prostate tissue, methyltestosterone and prochloraz proved to be stronger inhibitors (IC(50) values of 1.9 and 12.4 microM) than in LNCaP cells (IC(50) values of 13.2 and 53.2 microM). The inhibitory impact of finasteride was approximately 130 times stronger in prostate tissue than in LNCaP cells. Fenarimol, flutamide, linuron and p,p'DDE inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity only at very high concentrations (IC(50)> or =24 microM) in prostate homogenates, and not at all in LNCaP cells. On average, the IC(20) values were 3.5 times lower than the IC(50) values. Diuron, MBT and vinclozolin exerted no effect in either of the test systems. The finding of pesticides acting as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors might be of clinical relevance. As a screening tool for putative ED, the tissue assay is the more practical and sensitive method. However, the cell assay can, to some extent, reflect particular cell processes since the living cell is able to compensate moderate toxicological effects of the ED on cell viability, and possibly also their impact on 5alpha-reductase activity.     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂FK228 对前列腺癌LNCaP细胞的抑制作用

目的:研究组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂FK228对前列腺癌LNCaP细胞的抑制作用机理。方法:四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)检测药物对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响,hoechst33342染色观察细胞凋亡的形态学变化,Western blotting检测凋亡标志蛋白的表达,激光共聚焦分析雄激素受体(AR)蛋白的表达。结果:FK228在较低浓度即能有效抑制LNCaP细胞的增殖并诱导细胞凋亡,半效杀伤剂量(EC50)为7.4ng/mL;FK228作用24h后,细胞核内的AR基本被清除。结论:FK228能够阻断对前列腺癌细胞生长具有重要作用的AR信号通路,从而对肿瘤细胞发挥抑制作用。     

比卡鲁胺联合塞来昔布对前列腺癌细胞LNCaP增殖的影响

目的观察比卡鲁胺联合塞来昔布对前列腺癌细胞LNCaP增殖的影响并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法培养前列腺癌LNCaP细胞,采用MTT法测定细胞生长的抑制情况,化学发光法检测细胞培养液中总前列腺特异抗原(PSA)的浓度,流式细胞仪检测各组细胞的凋亡率,Western Blot检测各组细胞Caspase 3和Caspase 8蛋白的表达情况。结果 MTT检测结果显示,对照组在24,48和72 h的细胞生长抑制率均为0。比卡鲁胺组、塞来昔布组和联合组在24,48和72 h的生长抑制率均明显较高(P<0.05)。对组间细胞的生长抑制率联合组显著优于单一组(P<0.05)。化学发光法检测结果显示,与对照组相比,比卡鲁胺组、塞来昔布组以及联合组PSA浓度明显降低,其中联合组对PSA的抑制程度明显优于比卡鲁胺组和塞来昔布组(P<0.05)。流式细胞仪检测结果显示,对照组在24,48和72 h的细胞凋亡率均低于比卡鲁胺组、塞来昔布组和联合组在24,48和72 h的生长抑制率。组间细胞的生长抑制率联合组显著优于比卡鲁胺组和塞来昔布组(P<0.05)。Western Blot结果提示,与对照组相比,给药组Caspase 3和Caspase 8蛋白的表达水平均显著升高,且联合组明显高于比卡鲁胺组和塞来昔布组(P<0.05)。结论比卡鲁胺联合塞来昔布能有效抑制前列腺癌细胞LNCaP的增殖,其机制可能与促进相关蛋白Caspase 3和Caspase 8凋亡进而促进肿瘤细胞的凋亡有关。     

Verapamil inhibits proliferation of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells influencing K+ channel gating

The mechanisms of verapamil and tetraethylammonium (TEA) inhibition of voltage-gated K+ channels in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells were studied in whole-cell and outside/inside-out patch-clamp configurations. Rapidly activating outward K+ currents (I(K)) exhibited neither C-type, nor rapid (human ether á go-go-related gene-type) inactivation. With 2 mM [Mg(2+)](o), I(K) activation kinetics was independent of holding potential, suggesting the absence of ether á go-go-type K+ channels. Extracellular applications of TEA and verapamil (IC(50) = 11 microM) rapidly (12 s) inhibited I(K) in LNCaP cells. Blocking was also rapidly reversible. Intracellular TEA (1 mM), verapamil (1 mM), and membrane-impermeable N-methyl-verapamil (25 microM) did not influence whole-cell I(K), although both phenylalkylamines inhibited single-channel currents in inside-out patches. Extracellular application of N-methyl-verapamil (25 microM) had no influence on I(K). Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that, in LNCaP cells expressing C-type inactivation-deficient voltage-activated K+ channels, phenylalkylamines interact with an intracellular binding site, and probably an additional hydrophobic binding site that does not bind charged phenylalkylamines. The inhibiting effects of verapamil and TEA on I(K) were additive, suggesting independent K+-channel blocking mechanisms. Indeed, TEA (1 mM) reduced a single-channel conductance (from 7.3 +/- 0.5 to 3.2 +/- 0.4 pA at a membrane potential of +50 mV, n = 6), whereas verapamil (10 microM) reduced an open-channel probability (from 0.45 +/- 0.1 in control to 0.1 +/- 0.09 in verapamil-treated cells, n = 9). The inhibiting effects of verapamil and TEA on LNCaP cell proliferation were not multiplicative, suggesting that both share a common antiproliferative mechanism initiated through a K+ channel block.     

Proteomic-based identification of multiple pathways underlying n-butylidenephthalide-induced apoptosis in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells

Although numerous studies have shown the cancer-preventive properties of butylidenephthalide (BP), there is little report of BP affecting human prostate cancer cells. In the present study, proteomic-based approaches were used to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of BP in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. BP treatment decreased the viability of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, which was correlated with G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Increased cell cycle arrest was associated with a decrease in the level of CCND1, CDK2, and PCNA proteins and an increase in the level of CDKN2A, CDKN1A, and SFN proteins. Proteomic studies revealed that among 48 differentially expressed proteins, 25 proteins were down-regulated and 23 proteins were up-regulated and these proteins fall into one large protein protein interaction network. Among these proteins, FAS, AIFM1, BIK, CYCS, SFN, PPP2R1A, CALR, HSPA5, DDIT3, and ERN1 are apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress associated proteins. Proteomic data suggested that multiple signaling pathways including FAS-dependent pathway, mitochondrial pathway, and ER stress pathway are involved in the apoptosis induced by BP.     

Anti-invasive activity of diallyl disulfide through tightening of tight junctions and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activities in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a major component of an oil-soluble allyl sulfide garlic (Allium sativum) derivative, which has been shown to exert a potential for anti-cancer activity. However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying DADS-induced anti-invasiveness and anti-metastasis have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we investigated the effect of DADS on the correlation between tightening of tight junctions (TJs) and anti-invasive activity in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Inhibitory effects of DADS on cell motility and invasiveness were found to be associated with increased tightness of the TJ, which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). Additionally, immunoblotting results indicated that DADS repressed the levels of the claudin proteins, which are major components of TJs that play a key role in control and selectivity of paracellular transport. Furthermore, the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in LNCaP cells were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment with DADS, and this was also correlated with a decrease in expression of their mRNA and proteins. Although further studies are needed, the present study indicates that TJs and MMPs are critical targets of DADS-induced anti-invasiveness in human prostate cancer LNCaP cells.     

miR-34a通过调控雄激素受体基因抑制前列腺癌细胞系LNCaP增殖

目的:探究miR-34a对雄激素受体(AR)基因的调控作用及对前列腺癌(PCa)LNCaP细胞增殖、凋亡的影响。方法:收集2016年10月至2019年9月本院泌尿外科行前列腺穿刺活检确诊为PCa患者组织标本36例,另取同期行手术治疗切除的良性前列腺增生(BPH)组织标本41例。体外培养LNCaP细胞,分别转染miR-34a mimics(mimics组),miR-34a mimic NC(NC组),设正常生长细胞为空白对照组(BC组),另在mimics组基础上转染AR过表达(AR过表达组)载体及其对照(AR对照组),采用CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞活性,Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色流式细胞凋亡检测试剂盒检测细胞凋亡率,实时定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测miR-34a及AR mRNA表达水平,免疫印迹法检测AR蛋白、细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclinD1)及原癌基因产物(c-Mcy)、细胞凋亡相关蛋白(Bcl-2、Bax、capase-3)的表达水平。结果:与BPH组织比较,PCa组织中miR-34a表达水平显著降低(P<0.05),AR mRNA及蛋白表达水平均显著增加(P<0.05);与BC、NC组比较,mimics组LNCap细胞miR-34a表达水平、细胞凋亡率、Bax蛋白表达水平显著增加(P<0.05),AR、Cyclin D1、Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达水平显著降低(P<0.05),同一时间LNCap细胞活力均显著降低(P<0.05);双荧光素酶实验结果显示,miR-34a与AR可能存在一定的调控关系,过表达AR基因可逆转miR-34a mimics对LNCaP细胞增殖抑制,促进凋亡作用。结论:miR-34a可能通过调控AR抑制前列腺癌LNCaP细胞增殖,促进其凋亡。     

Resveratrol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles mediated programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells

Resveratrol (RL), a natural polyphenol, is known for its diverse biological effects against various human cancer cell lines. But low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and stability limit its efficacy against prostate cancer. In this study polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating resveratrol (RLPLGA) were designed and their cytotoxic and mode of apoptotic cells death against prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) was determined. Nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method and characterized for particle size, TEM, entrapment efficiency, DSC and drug release study. RLPLGA exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability with 50% and 90% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀) of 15.6?±?1.49 and 41.1?±?2.19?μM respectively against the LNCaP cells. This effect was mediated by apoptosis as confirmed by cell cycle arrest at G1-S transition phase, externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA nicking, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, significantly greater cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was observed with nanoparticles as compared to that of free RL at all tested concentrations. RLPLGA nanoparticles presented no adverse cytotoxic effects on murine macrophages even at 200?μM. Our findings support the potential use of developed resveratrol loaded nanoparticle for the prostate cancer chemoprevention/ chemotherapy with no adverse effect on normal cells.     

Effects of glycyrrhetinic acid and liquorice extract on cell proliferation and prostate-specific antigen secretion in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is the active metabolite of glycyrrhizic acid, one of the components of liquorice extract. It has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to inhibit hepatic tumour growth. In this preliminary study, we have shown that GA could significantly reduce the rate of proliferation of LNCaP androgen dependent prostate cancer cells, whereas it had no effect on proliferation of PC3 and DU145 androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Additionally, GA could significantly reduce the production of prostate-specific antigen by LNCaP cells maintained in-vitro. This study provides a sound platform for further investigation.     

Curcumin downregulates homeobox gene NKX3.1 in prostate cancer cell LNCaP

AIM: To elucidate the effect and the mechanisms of curcumin on the expression of the human homeobox gene NKX3.1 in the prostate cancer cell LNCaP. METHODS: The expression change of NKX3.1 in cells incubated with varying concentrations of curcumin was observed by Western blotting and RT-PCR. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to test the effect of curcumin on the activity of the NKX3.1 1040 bp promoter. Curcumin-treated cells disposed to a designated amount of androgen analog R1881 and the androgen receptor (AR) antagonist flutamide, then the expression of NKX3.1 or the activity of the NKX3.1 promoter were investigated by Western blotting or reporter gene assay, respectively. Finally, Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were performed to demonstrate the effect of curcumin on the expression of AR and its binding activity to the androgen response element (ARE). RESULTS: Curcumin downregulated the expression of NKX3.1 and the activity of the NKX3.1 1040 bp promoter in LNCaP cells. R1881 increased the expression of NKX3.1, and the AR antagonist flutamide decreased the expression of NKX3.1 in LNCaP cells, while curcumin could inhibit androgen-AR mediated induction of NKX3.1 expression. Curcumin decreased the expression of AR and the binding activity to ARE directly. CONCLUSION: Curcumin could downregulate NKX3.1 expression in LNCaP cells. It could also inhibit the androgen-AR mediated induction of NKX3.1 expression by downregulating AR expression and blocking its DNA binding activity.     

Anticancer activity of bisphosphonates in breast cancer

Despite progress in surgical and adjuvant therapy, a subset of patients with early stage breast cancer experience disease recurrence and/or distant metastases. Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow are believed to be the source of late relapses in bone and other tissues. Bone is the most common site of breast cancer metastasis, and agents that modify the bone microenvironment could therefore affect the disease course. Bisphosphonates are an effective bone-targeted therapeutic option for preventing cancer treatment- induced bone loss (CTIBL) in pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, thereby inhibiting the release of growth factors necessary to promote cancer cell growth, differentiation, and tumor formation in bone. Preclinical and clinical data also suggest anticancer synergy between cytotoxic chemotherapy agents and bisphosphonates. Recent trials of zoledronic acid in the adjuvant setting in breast cancer have demonstrated reduced disease recurrence in bone and other sites. Currently, several ongoing clinical trials are evaluating whether antiresorptives can inhibit disease recurrence and the development of bone metastases from breast cancer. Based on recent data, the role of bisphosphonates in the breast cancer setting is expected to expand in the future. With recent changes to treatment guidelines, routine use of bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss during adjuvant therapy is likely to become standard practice, especially for patients receiving endocrine therapy. Furthermore, the use of zoledronic acid to reduce the risk of recurrence is emerging based on ongoing clinical research.     

Endocytosis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in prostate cancer PC-3M cells

Nanotechnology has introduced many exciting new tools for the treatment of human diseases. One of the obstacles in its application to that end is the lack of a fundamental understanding of the interaction that occurs between nanoparticles and living cells. This report describes the quantitative analysis of the kinetics and endocytic pathways involved in the uptake of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles into prostate cancer PC-3M cells. The experiments were performed with TiO(2) nanoconjugates: 6-nm nanoparticles with surface-conjugated fluorescent Alizarin Red S. Results obtained by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry confirmed a complex nanoparticle-cell interaction involving a variety of endocytic mechanisms. The results demonstrated that a temperature, concentration, and time-dependent internalization of the TiO(2) nanoparticles and nanoconjugates occurred via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolin-mediated endocytosis, and macropinocytosis. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: The interaction and uptake of TiO(2) nanoparticles (6-nm) with prostate PC-3M cells was investigated and found to undergo temperature, time, and concentration dependent intracellular transport that was mediated through clathrin pits, caveolae, and macropinocytosis. These results suggest that nanoparticles may widely permeate through tissues and enter almost any active cell through a variety of biological mechanisms, posing both interesting opportunity and possible challenges for systemic use.     

Induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP by Ukrain

Exposure of LNCaP prostate cancer cells to Ukrain (NSC-631570), a novel semisynthetic drug from Chelidonium majus L., results in cell growth inhibition which is concomitant with apoptosis. After 24 h treatment with 3.5 microM of Ukrain as many as 73% cells were found in the G2/M phase. However, at higher drug concentrations (7 microM and 17.5 microM) the changes in cell phase distribution were less dramatic but cell accumulation in the G2/M phase was still evident. The rate of apoptotic cells rose steadily with increased drug concentration in a dose-dependent manner and reached 20% at a dosage of 17.5 microM. To investigate whether the cell cycle control mechanisms are affected in response to Ukrain, we analyzed the expression levels of some cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) and apoptosis-related proteins in drug treated cancer cells. Western blot experiments revealed alterations in levels of CDK1 and CDK2, after treatment. Up-regulation of the CDK inhibitor p27 was observed, which may lead to G2/M cell accumulation, but no substantial changes in expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were found.